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Piper Comanche 250
United States
Registrace 25. 10. 2011
My name is Mike Ellis and this channel is about the trials and tribulations of owning/flying a classic aircraft.
Piper Comanche 250 Headed to Annual 2024
Sorry the GPS derived speed in the upper right did not work for some reason.
Took the plane up to Freeport, IL and put it in Annual with Heritage Aero (one of the best Comanche shops in the nation). This is the flight up.
As I mentioned in the video, I don't know how many more videos I will upload as I am simply out of things to say....unless something new comes along of course. :-)
I will keep the channel open as I field a lot of questions but uploads will be few and far between.
Thanks to those that watched.
Mike
Took the plane up to Freeport, IL and put it in Annual with Heritage Aero (one of the best Comanche shops in the nation). This is the flight up.
As I mentioned in the video, I don't know how many more videos I will upload as I am simply out of things to say....unless something new comes along of course. :-)
I will keep the channel open as I field a lot of questions but uploads will be few and far between.
Thanks to those that watched.
Mike
zhlédnutí: 1 398
Video
Piper Comanche 250 KMLI to KUIN Investigating Power Settings
zhlédnutí 2,4KPřed 11 měsíci
Took a flight down to Quincy for Breakfast. Along the way re-experimented with some power setting.
Piper Comanche 250 KRFD to KMLI Bouncing My Way Home
zhlédnutí 2,9KPřed rokem
This is the flight back from Rock Ford, IL after the new Servos were installed. It was rather bumpy.
Piper Comanche 250 KMLI to KRFD AP Servo Recall
zhlédnutí 1,3KPřed rokem
Did a maintenance flight up to Rockford, IL to get the Garmin Servos replaced due to a recall. This is the flight up.
Piper Comanche 250 KMLI to KJVL a long hiatus
zhlédnutí 3KPřed rokem
Made a Breakfast Flight to Janesville to knock some rust off. This is the flight up along with information about the Planes Annual, Upgrade, etc.
Piper Comanche 250 KOMA to KMLI
zhlédnutí 1,4KPřed rokem
Took a run out to Omaha with a pilot friend (tailwheel guys....not his fault) :-) We met way back as 10-11 year old little geeks at the local library over a game of Dungeons & Dragons. This was back when people thought by playing it we were flirting with the Devil. When our Librarian found out what we were doing she booted us and called our parents....god I love a small town. :-) We went out to...
Piper Comanche 250 KIOW to KDSM On to Des Moines & a new toy is coming.
zhlédnutí 1,2KPřed rokem
Here is leg 2 of our flight to Des Moines. I did not start filming until we were in the air. Iowa City was very, very busy that Friday afternoon and I was focused on getting us up and out so no Take Off. Not a lot happening in this video folks as, once we got going, it was a nice boring cross country. Below are links to the new LIDAR Altimeter/Gear Warning system that we are going to install at...
Piper Comanche 250 KMLI to KIOW for Pick up
zhlédnutí 1,1KPřed rokem
1st leg of our trip to Des Moines Iowa for a concert that my Mrs. wanted to attend. First stop, Iowa City to pick up our youngest.
Piper Comanche 250 KMLI to KUIN Ram Mount
zhlédnutí 993Před rokem
Just a breakfast run down to Quincy on a beautiful day. Talk about the Northeast Comanche Tribes Zoom meetings (linked below) and the Ipad Ram Mount that I use (parts list below). www.northeastcomanche.org RAM Mounts: rammount.com/ Parts: Roller holder. rammount.com/products/ram-hol-ap31u Long Arm. rammount.com/collections/popular-components-b-size/products/ram-b-201u-c Ball Mount for cradle. r...
Piper Comanche 250 KMLI to 2H0 for Meeting
zhlédnutí 984Před rokem
Had a business meeting down in Pana, IL. Here is the flight down.
KUIN to KMLI Temps Aloft Lesson
zhlédnutí 823Před 2 lety
Flight back from Quincy IL where I had Breakfast. Talked about trips that we did this Summer and a lesson I learned on temps aloft and their affect on the aircraft.
Piper Comanche 250 KMLI to KFEP Off to Annual 2022
zhlédnutí 1,2KPřed 2 lety
Took the plane up to Freeport to put it in Annual. This is the flight up.
Piper Comanche 250 KMLI to KUIN Comanche Zoom
zhlédnutí 1,6KPřed 2 lety
Took a short flight down to Quincy again this morning for Breakfast. Along the way discussed the Thursday night Comanche Zoom Meetings. Below are the links. If you enjoy the training they provide, please kick them a few bucks to say thanks. Northeast Comanche Website: northeastcomanche.org/ Donation Link: www.quietcornerbands.org/Flight/NeCT/NE_GenDonations.htm
Piper Comanche 250 KMLI to KOZS
zhlédnutí 6KPřed 2 lety
Took my Mrs. to Lake of the Ozarks for a short weekend stay. Had to wait for the weather to pass before we could go and ended up leaving in the afternoon. This is the flight up.
KMLI to KRFD back to visit the Wizard...and the defeated drive home
zhlédnutí 802Před 2 lety
Flight to Rockford, small walk through of Avionics Place, & the Defeated Drive Home. :-) In a nutshell I had to take the plane back to Rockford as all 3 of my newly installed servos were recalled by Garmin and needed to be replaced. There was also a mandatory software upgrade to the GI-275's in the panel that needed to be done. Arrived Monday morning at 8:30 AM, worked all day up there, and end...
Piper Comanche 250 Moline to Quincy via New Autopilot
zhlédnutí 1,6KPřed 2 lety
Piper Comanche 250 Moline to Quincy via New Autopilot
Piper Comanche 250 Garmin GI 275 Overview
zhlédnutí 18KPřed 2 lety
Piper Comanche 250 Garmin GI 275 Overview
Piper Comanche 250...STEC-3100 The most frustrating experience I have ever had in general aviation.
zhlédnutí 3,4KPřed 2 lety
Piper Comanche 250...STEC-3100 The most frustrating experience I have ever had in general aviation.
Piper Comanche 250 - We're Off To See The Wizard
zhlédnutí 2,1KPřed 3 lety
Piper Comanche 250 - We're Off To See The Wizard
Piper Comanche 250 The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men
zhlédnutí 3,1KPřed 3 lety
Piper Comanche 250 The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men
Piper Comanche 250 KUIN to KMLI Fueling mishap forces me to take the long way home.
zhlédnutí 944Před 3 lety
Piper Comanche 250 KUIN to KMLI Fueling mishap forces me to take the long way home.
Piper Comanche 250 KMLI to KUIN Continuing to clear out the cobwebs
zhlédnutí 853Před 3 lety
Piper Comanche 250 KMLI to KUIN Continuing to clear out the cobwebs
Piper Comanche 250 Ohhh....What A Long Winter It's Been
zhlédnutí 3,7KPřed 3 lety
Piper Comanche 250 Ohhh....What A Long Winter It's Been
Piper Comanche 250 Planeviz Interview and Video
zhlédnutí 588Před 3 lety
Piper Comanche 250 Planeviz Interview and Video
Piper Comanche 250 St Louis Downtown back to Moline
zhlédnutí 1,3KPřed 3 lety
Piper Comanche 250 St Louis Downtown back to Moline
Piper Comanche 250 Video and Photos from get together in St. Louis
zhlédnutí 923Před 3 lety
Piper Comanche 250 Video and Photos from get together in St. Louis
Piper Comanche 250 Moline to St Louis Downtown for a get together/mini vacation.
zhlédnutí 2,5KPřed 3 lety
Piper Comanche 250 Moline to St Louis Downtown for a get together/mini vacation.
Love the videos hope to have someday, don’t edit them.
That just seems like the wild west of general aviation to me. Good to see in these sterile times of safety.
Love your videos. Bought a PA24-250 myself this spring and absolutely love it. Would you mind sharing how you keep your forward facing camera from blowing out with sunlight? Have one mounted similarly but rarely can get footage out the windscreen other than glare
Hi Jason, I am not 100% sure. I have a filter on it that takes out the Prop, so you can see through it. That has a tint to it, so that may be part of it. I think I adjusted the settings on the camera at one point, but that was years ago and I don't remember which ones. Sorry not much help with this. Mike
@@pipercomanche2506 thanks very much! Again you’re videos have been awesome as I’ve gotten into a groove in my own Comanche
Very interesting, great video, enjoy it, like the gauges up there. Maybe more planes should test this. I will in my twinky
Great video! Thank you for posting. I have a 250 Comanche, made by A2A, which I fly in P3D. N5665P, with that '59 turquoise on white paint job. Great airplane. I've got a GTN750 in the airplane. Great airplane.
Hi Paughco, I have heard good things about the A2A Comanche and its flight model. Have fun flying her.
Love watching your utube videos, thank you for all your trouble u go to
Just a wanna be pilot here lol! I play around with the Microsoft flight sim. Im too broke to be able to do the real thing. I love all planes ugly and beautiful but when i look at the Comanche 250 I feel a tug on my heart and want to just fly!
I agree flight sim is better than nothing :-)
Just saw this and thanks for sharing real world experiences.. Thought I'd add mention that you may have been lucky to escape any potential spare parts pricing challenges had you tried to stay with S-TEC. I had new S-TEC 20 installed in our Comanche 180 in 2018 (more modest budget..) and the little plastic "Push/Mode" knob disintegrated around the set screw in May.. After being sent back to install shop by S-TEC for a part that should have been tossed in an envelope for free by S-TEC, official price quote came in at ~$360 plus shipping.. Parts guy at large install shop was laughing as he read me the quote, and said "I assume you'll find another source?". Thanks to DigiKey, my new solid metal knob at $6.94 plus shipping is performing perfectly..
Isn't it just crazy. Unfortunately all to common. Mike
Thank you, i was able to understand perfectly what I wanted to understand on the subject RPM & and Manifold ! Perfect teaching, really thanks !
thanks for this video. Just working on getting checked out and wanted to see how the emerg extension worked.
Hi Tom, there is a lot of information on this topic online. Heritage Aero has a channel that shows how the gear works and the Northeast Comanche tribe has a video library where there is all kinds of information. Mike
Aviation has always been a dream of mine! just never gave it any real consideration as a kid and a few tragic events in my teens just had my mind in such a state that I didn't know what I wanted to do. now many years later I know precisely what I want to do and that passion to fly burns hot.
It is an addictive drug. 😀
@@pipercomanche2506 ahhh yes you are right about that. I can only afford to fly on a flight simulator on Xbox right now lol.l a high school buddy of mine his dad was an aviation mechanic and had taught me quite a bit about flying but never got a chance to go up and was also we were in what was called the air national guard explorer program in high school that was fun. now I would sell my truck to get my pilot license lol If I didn't need it!
@@michaelharper2339 I understand. :-) Keep in mind, there is no limit on how long it takes you to get your Pilots License, if you can afford 1 flight a week or every 2 weeks that is what you can do. Once you have it, look for a flying club in your area. That is probably the cheapest route. And keep working in the Sim it will help. Best of luck. Mike
@@pipercomanche2506 thank you! I definitely keep the dream and hope alive that I might get there one day. thank you for the great video and keep it coming.
Hey Mike my name is Elliott from aerocorp avionics would it be possible to reach out to you about more information on your 3100 install that you had removed. I believe we have similar issues with a twin Otter we recently installed this system in and currently have a Stec rep on site
Hi Elliott, sure but you would be able to get more information from Avionics Place in Rockford. I was not really involved with it day to day. I dropped the plane off in June and picked it up in December. Talk to Dave he is one of the owners, he can give you the blow by blow.
@@pipercomanche2506 perfect thank you. Could you get me their name we are in the process of removing the system in place of our up coming g1000 STC but the military is a little hesitant to make the change.
@@pipercomanche2506 never mind I see their name is actually avionics place hahaha
When you mentioned the airspeed increase with RPM decrease, I couldn't help but think... "Achievement: Test Pilot"
Lol
@@pipercomanche2506props are more efficient the slower they turn to a point.
I have the same AP as you do I think do you know if all of the servos were recalled, this is the first I have heard of it
Hi Justin, I'm not sure. I know it was done by serial number so maybe not. You would need to ask your Avionics shop to be sure. Mike
Maybe I missed this in the other videos but can you give us an overview of your comanche? The year, what upgrades you have done and things you'd like to do?
I guess I could get it from the FAA registry by tail number. But still interested in what modification you made and maybe have not made because of complexity.
@@shawnshay3051 HI Shawn, I hate to say this but I have been modifying her for just over 10 years. I don't have a list or anything. I would have to pull the books, or watch the videos to see what I did each year as I have a tendency to upgrade at Annual. One of my 1st videos is an overview of the plane. Here is a link. czcams.com/video/U-VxOYHPS1g/video.html this would be a good place to start. The only update I did before this video was to install the GTN 650 and 210 (the 210 allows my IPAD to communicate with the GTN) Thanks Mike
@@pipercomanche2506 Thanks for the quick response! I will take a look at all the videos. One quick question did you ever upgrade the seats? I am 6'4" and currently using seats that don't adjust vertically and been trying to see if anyone else has undertaken this task.
@@shawnshay3051 I am only 6 ft and have not had an issue. What some guys have done is remove the bottom seat cushion take it to a Auto Interior Shop, have them open it and cut the padding in half then put it back together using the same material. You can then reinstall it. Will probably get you 2-3 inches which may be enough. That is one option. I think there is a second option that some have gone and replaced their seats with another model of Piper Seat (Lance I think, but don't quote me on that) and the new seat has a height adjustment built in to it. They do it via a 337. Not cheap but doable. If you have Facebook get in the group called Piper Comanche and ask, someone will be able to provide you the info. Mike
The fact that you WANT your piper in MPH tells me all I need to know.
Why is that? I was ready to switch to Knots, I had all my landing speeds refigured in knots, had all my regular and emergency checklist switched. The only reason I was happy I stayed in MPH is my current airspeed indicator was in MPH and I did not want to replace it. If I switched to knots I was going to pull it out and just use the GI-275. Knots or MPH really do not matter as long as you fly the speeds that need to be flown. I have nothing against knots if that is what you are implying, my old plane was in knots its not a big deal one way or another.
Always appreciated your videos especially as I stepped into the Comanche. Definitely understand the editing part, it’s a pain. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and thoughts on these full length videos.
Thanks for uploading. You don't need to worry about what to say. Even if you didn't say anything. Still awsome 👍
nervous nellie
Loved it
Wow, A2A Simulations really outdone themselves with this aircraft. It's really accurate to the real thing like in the video.
Well that is good to hear. I think the owner of A2A owns a Comanche. :-)
Yeah, I agree with all the other comments. Please make 🙏 more videos. You don't even have to edit them -- just shoot over the shoulder footage and upload. Your videos and clear, professional, and educational. Please make more.
Right behind ya Mike...headed there next week.
I'm sad that you're not going to be posting as many videos. I look forward to "Well good morning, everyone!" as well as how friendly you are to ATC.
This a great style of video just to keep up with how the Comanche is coming along. Would love to hear about how the annual goes and the cost of fuel and how things go as 100LL gets replaced over the next few years. Simple cut edits with occasional fast forward over the repetitive bits. I know other youtubers like to include B-rolls and beauty shots of the plane but that's not your channel and its not your style. We appreciate you taking us along in your flights so those of us who cannot "yet" can live vicariously through you.
I prefer your style of videos, it's just like going out for a ride with your buddy! So keep making them, keep them simple
Is that a gfc500?
Hi Trey, Yes that is the autopilot I ended up with. Mike
Scott Gentile - CEO/Owner of A2A Simulations, he flies his Comanche with 18-1900 RPM and feed the throttle higher. it makes his engine run smoothly. Personally, as a sim pilot, I found that flying with "known power settings" makes the biggest difference to the enjoyment of flying and being ahead of the plane instead of behind it. At an indicated airspeed of 140 MPH. 2290 RPM. and MP of 19.5 I get straight and level flight putting the throttle down to 9.7 MP gives a descent of 500 feet. adjusting the throttle and knowing what "exactly" it will do has changed my mental capacity. But now I made it sound like I'm a flight instructor. I am not. 😊
Hey where are my new videos?
Lol, I have been flying 3-4 times since I made this video, I just have not recorded anything. It is a pain in the backside to edit everything taking me an entire afternoon to download videos. I would rather play Squad. :-) I have to goto Annual end of next month, I may record that.
@pipercomanche2506 ok 10 4. I get the annual piece, mine is coming up myself
@pipercomanche2506 I'm in love with Comanche! Cool plane. Every cool plane should have the world's most powerful ice air conditioner. FlyKool. If you do a review you can have $250 off.
Hey Mike - Did you replace the G5's with the 275's
Hi, yes when I was going to put in the STEC 3100 Auto Pilot it plays better with the 275s. I ended up with the Garmin GFC500 which would have worked fine with the G5s but the 275s where already installed. I will admit, I do like the 275s better and spent the extra $500 on Synthetic Vision which, even on the small screen, makes approaches easier.
Like your videos! I generally need 50 more rpm than mp or it is a little rough. I also noticed in POH that running extended times between 2225 and 2275 is not recommended? I’m a 3 blade guy
Hi Raleigh, I have not heard of the 2225-2275 RPM rule. Are you flying a 180? Mike
@@pipercomanche2506 I found it in a 250 poh online. I’ve not been to airport to read my ‘61 250 poh but I thought I remembered seeing it in it also.
@@raleighleesman1281 Morning Raleigh, I just looked in the limitations section of my POH and did not see that recommendation. Let me know when you find it and on what page. I am looking in the Killough manual for a 1958-1960 model serial number 24-103 through 24-2298 which is where my plane falls into.
Mike. I do not know where I read that? I retraced my steps and can only find limitations on running engine smoothly and avoiding high mp on a 180. I look forward to trying some different settings with more confidence if it ever warms up again. I do wonder about the the vibration and if it is a huge deal with a 3 blade prop? As I do not need additional aviation expenses:-) I’m based out of KPIR an old outfit there used Comanche’s for charter and said 24 square I know mine sure runs smooth at 2350-2400. You’re a Great American!
Hi this is Chris, I see your video on u-tube where I believe you said you would answere questions about flying, in 67 years old and desperately want to fly. I'm a heavy equipment operator so machinery is my thing. If you wouldn't mind answering a few questions I would be very greatfull. Thanks. CHRIS
Hey Chris, sure I can try. Fire away
VERY helpful video. Appreciate you doing this and posting.
I have a 60 Comanche 250 all original panel. I’m old school I like the old style gauges. Any reason you think I should upgrade? Anything you think is the most important to upgrade? Do you really need auto pilot or is it just nice to have? Thanks really enjoy your Channell
Hi Ben, that's a lot of questions. I guess it boils down to what you would like automated in the plane. If you are strictly VFR and don't do a lot of long cross countrys where having some automation really helps. Then leave it as is. If however you would like to upgrade, then start with the Panel it will open up the center for a radio stack, then I would get a solid GPS and start building the panel out from there. Auto Pilot can be the last thing if you don't want much automation. Talk to you Local avionics shop to plan it. Have fun shopping. :-) Mike
Out of curiosity, why the 3x GI275's vs a G3x? And difference in cost? (Other than still needing a backup)
Hi Pchansen, yes cost was one factor, with the G3x you would still need 1 275 or G5 as back up. Also I put them in when I thought I was installing the STEC Auto Pilot. When that went to Hades, they were already there. 😊
You should land at my grass strip, about a two minute flight to 60IA, I can explain exactly why you picked up 10 knots. Great video as usual my friend.
Hey Chad, grass makes the airplane dirty :-). I think I got it figured out but it would be fun to fly to Breakfast sometime.
going to bessies this morning actually, give me a shout one day we will make it happen!@@pipercomanche2506
10:15 why does the trim knob move on its own?
Hi Mario, the Auto Pilot is trimming the aircraft as the airspeed builds. Trim takes the pressure off the controls by making the tail fly in a more neutral position for a given airspeed.
@@pipercomanche2506 Ohhh it was the autopilot! Very cool. I've only flown old piper PA-28s with no fancy stuff. Nice plane.
Sorrt typo should read Bentley
Why so much hastle srarting the engine. Compared to the comanche my 1948 Bentlet is a breeze.
I guess I don't understand the question. I don't have a starting issue so I am a bit lost.
In the Bentley I insert the key and turn it to the right, then I press the start button and job done. That was 1948 technology.
@@MENSA.lady2ahh you are comparing a water cooled car engine to an air cooled aircraft engine. Yes you are correct, compared to starting a car this is much more involved.
Nice aircraft but can you justify the cost compared to a similar aged Archer.
HI Mensa....I guess it is a question of how fast you would like to go. All aircraft are trade offs. Just taking stats off Trade A Plane a comparably priced Piper Archer would be from the early 1980s and Cruise at 140 MPH with a useful load of say 800-1000/lbs. A Comanche 180 is going to be 160 MPH give or take with the same payload and a bigger cabin. If you step up to a 250 then you are getting 180 MPH and 1000-1200 lb useful load. Same cabin at the 180. It's like asking why do guys fly jets....because they can. 🙂
I agree. In the UK we call it horses for courses. You pay your money and take yourchoice.
Book says 13.9 gph at 75%. Make sure you're leaning. Our club usage was 12 gph. We got close to 181 tas. That's at 2575 rpm and full throttle and density altitude above 7k.
What plane did those beautiful yokes come from?
Cheyenne II Mike
Bro! I’ve just started getting back into power settings tests in my 1960 Comanche 250. Tried out 2200 and 25” yesterday at 3,500. Speedy!
If don’t mind me asking, what kind of audio cable do you use with your lightspeed headset?
Hi Ken, I use a patch cable that goes to the GoPro. Here is the link www.nflightcam.com/products/nflightcam-audio-solution-for-gopro-hero5
Looks right to me. Think this way, you dropped the RPM but you done that by decreasing the angle of the blades to the wind, and the prop now takes more bites of air per one rotation, less resistance, more efficient. The strange thing is the Gallons per hour, but you also added throttle. Can't tell exactly. Looks strange, but normal in the same way.
Do a CZcams search for "savvy aviation operating oversquare" and then go to 25:25 in that video. You'll find Mike Busch explaining why you get more power dedicated to thrust and a more efficient engine operation. I'd give you a link but YT will flag my comment as spam so you're on your own.
Mike Bush has a video on leaning that covers the MP/RPM relationship. He says higher MP with a lower RPM allows for better prop efficiency with less frictional power loss, engine breaths better with better volumetric efficiency, runs quieter, and allows for an increase time for combustion to occur (as LOP slows combustion).
I kinda figured it was something like that. I just can't believe I picked up 10 MPH doing it.
I too was going to suggest Mike watch some of Mike Busch's videos (YT: Savvy Aviation Channel). Mike B is a big believer in Low RPM, wide-open-throttle and Lean of Peak. The Low RPM & WOT allows for better combustion efficiency, and the LOP allows for better fuel efficiency and most importantly low CHT, which in turns extends the life of the engine, especially the exhaust valves. The tradeoff is slightly slower aircraft speed.
czcams.com/video/A1fmNFWNHD4/video.htmlsi=GaagBbcn6LgohFC6
Can’t wait to have this discussion on the zooms, N6628P
I don't know if it warrants that but I would like to talk to one of the guys that have done all the aerodynamic tweaks to see if they get the same thing. One of the guys down in Missouri got is 180 going pretty quick by doing that.